Method for applying a coating

A method of forming a coating on an object comprising:

• forming a coating having a surface property and/or functionality pattern on the surface of the object by alternatively spraying, in a layer-by-layer manner, at least a first coating liquid and a second coating liquid onto the object,
• wherein each of the first and second coating liquids comprises at least one polyionic material and optionally one or more materials or additives selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial, an antibacterial, a colorant, a cell growth inhibitor, a cell growth inducing material. a visibility tinting agent, and an ultraviolet light tinting dye,
• wherein the surface property and/or functionality pattern comprises at least a first set of zones and a second set of zones,
• wherein the first set of zones has a first set of surface properties and/or functionalities imparted by the first coating liquid while the second set of zones has a second set of surface properties and/or functionalities imparted by the second coating liquid,
• wherein the first set of surface properties and/or functionalities is different from the second set of surface properties and/or functionalities,
• wherein spraying of at least two coating liquids onto the object is performed by using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization arid dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process, and
• wherein the object is an ophthalmic lens, a mold for making the ophthalmic lens, or a medical device other than ophthalmic lens.